Website Requirements for Online Shops
Order buttons, withdrawal rights, price display rules, payment security. Running a webshop in the EU comes with legal requirements that many shop owners miss.
Common issues for online shops
Order button text matters
EU law requires your "Buy" button to clearly indicate a payment obligation. "Order with obligation to pay" or similar wording is required in many countries.
14-day withdrawal right
Customers can return most products within 14 days without giving a reason. Your website must clearly explain this before checkout.
Price display rules
Prices must include VAT. Discount claims must show the lowest price from the past 30 days (Omnibus Directive).
Product photos and copyright
Using manufacturer photos without permission, or stock photos of products you sell, can trigger copyright claims.
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Key issues
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Areas checked
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Guides
Real-world enforcement
The EU Consumer Protection Cooperation network (CPC) took coordinated action against 118 online shops in 2024 for violating the Omnibus Directive pricing rules — displaying fake discounts without showing the lowest price from the past 30 days. In Germany, competitors regularly send Abmahnungen to webshops with order buttons that don't meet requirements, costing €500–€1,500 per letter.
Official resources
Areas that apply
Guides for online shops
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